Occupation Group Number Analysis
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www.pdratings.com Craig Andrew Lange California Workers Compensation Luis Pérez-Cordero [email protected] AMA Impairment & Disability Rating Specialists [email protected] Voice: (415) 861-4040 Occupational Groups Characteristics: Significance of 3 Digits Numbers In Section III of the California Schedule for Rating Permanent Disabilities (05PDRS), pg. 3-1, “Occupations & Group Numbers” you will find an alphabetical listing of occupations and their related three-digit group numbers with a corresponding industrial designation to distinguish it from other occupations having the same title but whose functions and activities differ. The Schedule divides the labor market into 45 numbered occupational groups. Each group is assigned a three-digit code called an occupational group number. The first digit of the code refers to the arduousness of the duties, ranking jobs from 1 to 5 in ascending order of physical arduousness. The second digit separates occupations into broad categories sharing common characteristics. The third digit differentiates between occupations within these groups.” 05PDRS, page 1-8 1st Digit - Arduousness Level 2nd Digit – Occupational Categories 1. Very Light 1. Professional, Technical, Clerical 2. Light 2. Hand Intensive 3. Medium 3. Machine Operations 4. Heavy 4. Attendants/Cleaners 5. Very Heavy 5. Driving 6. Laborers, Material Handler 7. Mechanics, Installers, Repairers, Servicers 8. Construction 9. Miscellaneous 3rd Digit – Essential Functions Variations within a Category Example: Very light, professional, technical, clerical combination occupations: in groups 110, 111 and 112 have different keyboarding requirements. The correct group classification helps us determine the appropriate modifications for the AMA whole person Impairment standard have been adjusted for future earning capacity by the FEC Adjustment Tables on pages 2-6 and 2-7. The occupational group modification is done to reflect the impact of the particular physical demands of any given occupation for the regional or body impairment being rated. If the occupation requires more than average use of the injured part, the rating is modified upward; if the part is relatively less important, the rating is decreased. In order to make this adjustment, the appropriate occupational group must be determined.” The group number is based, not upon a "title", but rather, upon the duties and functions performed within a given group classification. The group classification for a general type of occupation considers characteristics dealing with the level of arduousness, standing/sitting requirements, demands addressing functions of the upper and lower extremities, the spine, vision, hearing, etc. It general it considers the demands of the essential functions of the jobs. It is the ‘essential functions’ and activities of an occupation within a given industry that take precedent over the occupational title. A Job Analysis, Job Description or Essential Job Functions Analysis is crucial in helping identify the essential functions of the job and other work related functional factors helpful in the proper determination of the occupational group number. The Dictionary of Occupational Titles (DOT), compiled by the US Department of Labor, was used extensively in the preparation of the Schedule and will frequently be of assistance in determining the functions of various occupations.” 97PDRS, pg 1-14. Web link: http://www.occupationalinfo.org/' www.pdratings.com Craig Andrew Lange California Workers Compensation Luis Pérez-Cordero [email protected] AMA Impairment & Disability Rating Specialists [email protected] Voice: (415) 861-4040 The Mechanics of Rating: Determining the Occupational Group Number 05PDRS, pg. 1-8: To identify the appropriate occupational group number, look up the occupation in the list contained in Section 3A of the Schedule. Each job title is listed along with its corresponding group number. The appropriate occupation can generally be found listed under a scheduled or alternative job title. If the occupation cannot be found, an appropriate occupational group is determined by analogy to a listed occupation(s) based on a comparison of duties. (The table Occupational Group Characteristics in Section 3C of the Schedule provides a description of each occupational group to facilitate the determination of a group number.)" The group number is based upon the duties and functions performed within a given group classification. It is not based upon a 'title'. The group classification for a general type of occupation considers characteristics dealing with the level of arduousness, standing/sitting requirements, demands addressing functions of the upper and lower extremities, the spine, vision, hearing, etc. When an occupation does not appear to be listed: a. Look for a more commonly known title b. Determine the basic functions and activities of that occupation c. Relate it to a comparable scheduled occupation. Occupational Group Chart - 05PDRS, pg. 3-27 st 2nd Digit – 1 Digit - Arduousness Level Occupational 5 = Very 1 = Very Light 2 =Light 3 = Medium 4 = Heavy Categories Heavy 110-111-112 210-211-212- 310-311 Professional, Case Worker 213-214 Phys Therapist Technical, 1 Auditor General. Clerks: Chiropractor Clerical Editor Adm./Bank Psyche Technician. 120 220-221 320-321-322 420 Drafter Dentist Die Maker Butcher Cartoonist Microelectronic 2 Hand Intensive Meter Repair Saddle Maker Semiconductor Tech. Precision Assembly Hide Puller -Assembly Surgeon 330-331-332 230 Bend. Mach 430 Machine Coil Winder Operator. Boiler maker Cutter, Machine 3 Operators, Cut-Off Saw Metal Fabric. Palletizer Tenders Operator. Welder-Arc Operator. Laminating Mach. 240 340-341 Child Monitor Cleaners, Auto Washer Restroom 4 JANITOR Attendants Attendant Nurses’ Aide Ticket Taker 250-251 350-351 Coin Machine - Truck Driver 5 Drivers Collector Tractor/Trailer Bus Driver Dump Truck 560 360 Laborers, 460 Ambulance Warehouse Wk. Baker’s Aide Material Attendant 6 Crate Maker Material Stacker Furniture Mover Handlers Material Expediter. Ramp Attendant Miner 470 Mechanics, 370 Mech. Diesel Installers, Mech. Tractor Heavy Furniture. 7 Precision Assembler Repairers, Assembler Welder, Gas Services TV Technician 380 480-481-482 Construction Handy Person Bricklayer 8 Workers Electrician Carpenter/Rough Carpenter, Const. Millwright 290 390 490-491-492 590 Beautician Security Officer Farm Laborer Athlete 9 Miscellaneous Barber Counselor, Camp Gardener Jockey Cosmetologist Aerobics Inst. Log Sorter Dancer www.pdratings.com Craig Andrew Lange California Workers Compensation Luis Pérez-Cordero [email protected] AMA Impairment & Disability Rating Specialists [email protected] Voice: (415) 861-4040 The Mechanics of Rating: Determining The Occupational Variant Tables For Injury dates 01/01/2005 to 2017 05PDRS, pg. 19: Section 4 of the Permanent Disability Rating Schedule (PDRS) contains tables that cross reference impairment numbers and occupational group numbers to produce an "occupational variant," which is expressed as a letter. These tables are designed so that variant "F" represents average demands on the injured body part for the particular impairment being rated, with letters "E", "D" and "C" representing progressively lesser demands, and letters "G" through "J" reflecting progressively higher demands. Consideration is given to the degree of seriousness of the effects of an objective impairment standard on the occupational group classification under consideration. Occupations are assigned a modifying letter, which reflects the level of seriousness of a particular injury upon that occupation. The effects of an injury on any given occupation are not necessarily "standardized" as usually reflected by a Flat Rate Schedules, which ca be used as the initiating component of a disability stream. A “Flat Rate Schedule” takes into consideration both the physical and functional impairment factors of an injury, depending on the organ or body systems being rated. Different occupations are affected differently by the residual disability or handicap resulting from an industrial injury “The theory is that for any particular disabling condition, in determining the percentages of permanent disability, account shall be taken of the nature of the physical injury or disfigurement, the occupation of the injured employee, and his or her age at the time of the injury, consideration being given to an employee's diminished future earning capacity.” - 05PDRS Authority LC Section § 4660(a) There Are Eight Alphabetical Modifiers Ranging From The Letter "C" to the letter "J “C” through “E” Modifies the standard percentage of disability downward. “F” Defines the midpoint of the alphabetical modifiers. “G” through “J” Modifies the standard percentage of disability upwards. “These tables are designated so that variant ‘F’ represents average demands for the particular disability being rated, with letters ‘C’ to ‘E’ representing progressively lesser demands, and letters ‘G’ through ‘J’ reflecting progressively higher demands.” www.pdratings.com Craig Andrew Lange California Workers Compensation Luis Pérez-Cordero [email protected] AMA Impairment & Disability Rating Specialists [email protected] Voice: (415) 861-4040 Occupational Group Characteristics - 05PDRS, pages 3-29 to 3-37 Occupational Group Characteristics Disability & Weighted Occupational Variant Group 110 Spine C Professional Occupations Shoulder C Some use of keyboards but less than 112 or 112; Elbow D greater standing and walking demands than 112 and